Q1. Some people think that the qualities that a person need to become successful in today’s world cannot be learnt in the universities or other academic institutions. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Model Answer
By Simon. H. Yu
Can we learn all the qualities to become successful in life within our academic environment? I would like to make a point that the qualities a person needs to become successful are often found outside the academic arena.
First of all, even before we have reached mature entry age for university, we have learnt countless qualities from our family, friends and social situations. These qualities are social skills, communication, negotiation, speaking and listening skills. Are these skills not the foundation of being a successful person in today’s world? (反问句增强SFL)
Qualities in a successful person can be intelligence, empathy, knowledge, sense of humour, diligence. The list is large. Too large to assign the learning of them to only universities or other academic institutions. Certainly, the academic arena can help identify a persons talents and build their qualities. However, it should be up to the student to have the ability to comprehend what qualities he/she already has, and how he or she can build them within university. Academic learning can help mature one’s qualities, but I do not agree they are entirely learnt within this area.
In today’s world, we have the capacity to meet more people than ever before. New qualities are needed in people such as superior communication skills. Not only in the I.T realm, but in cross cultural communication. Also needed are qualities such as emotional intelligence, or ‘EQ’. It is said that this quality is learned at a very early age, without the aid of formal education, and I feel it is evidence to help back up my opinion.
Perhaps in the past, qualities needed for life had to be learnt within the academic arena, but today, as we lead increasingly social lives, it is the social arena where many qualities can be learnt and where success can also be found.
Q2. It is inevitable that as technology develops so traditional cultures must be lost. Technology and tradition are incompatible – you cannot have both together.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Model Answer
By Simon. H. Yu
As modern technology plays an increasing role in our lives, many people have begun to question whether this means the end of many, most, or even all, traditions that have developed over centuries, since they think that technology and tradition are incompatible. As far as I am concerned, it depends on what the traditions are and how the technology is used. I certainly do not believe that the loss of traditions is unavoidable.
One tradition that appears across most of the world’s cul tures is that of religion. Although there is a general decline in religion in the Western world, this is not so of the world as a whole. As science and technology continue to provide answers to many age-old questions, people across the globe still question whether science can answer everything. Many people are attracted by the concept that our lives have a more spiritual meaning.
On the other hand, as science and technology provide better solutions to problems that our ancestors faced, certain aspects of traditional life do disappear. If we take the example of farming, we can see how increased mechanization allows farmers to cultivate bigger farms using far less labor. The effect on people’s lives, communities and the economy has been dramatic. It has become possible for the majority of people in many countries to live in cities, their food supply needs served by a relatively small rural population.
Some traditions have simply developed as technology has developed. The traditional British pub is still a place where people can go and enjoy a drink, some food and chat with friends. Pubs have taken on board many technological developments – including better methods of storing food and drink, and the provision and entertainment (e.g. large screen to show football matches).
In conclusion, the question of whether traditions enable to survive the development of science and technology depends on how people perceive the benefits of each and whether traditions can be adapted. Whilst there are examples of incompatibility, this is certainly not always the case.
